I recently shared my favorite Christmas solo collections that I return to year after year. I also want to share some of the Christmas piano duet collections that have become staples in my studio over the years.
I have so many wonderful memories of playing Christmas duets with friends, colleagues, students and family members over the years. The Christmas season offers a perfect opportunity to share duet music with another pianist.
Just like with Christmas piano solos, I’m drawn to catchy arrangements that put an interesting spin on the usual Christmas tunes.
Here are ten tried and true Christmas piano collections that I recommend for piano teachers, students and enthusiasts.
Go, Tell It On The Mountain by Victor Labenske
Go, Tell It On The Mountain by Victor Labenske is one of the more advanced Christmas piano duet books that I use, but the arrangements are fantastic. His version of of Angels We Have Heard On High is in a calypso style and uses a 6/8+2/4 rhythm that is really catchy once you get the hang of it. You can find it on Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
The Nutcracker Suite For Two Arranged By Catherine Rollin
The Nutcraker Suite For Two arranged by Catherine Rollin is transcribed perfectly for four hands. Catherine Rollin always does a wonderful job of creating pedagogically sound arrangements that are accessible to students who are still mastering piano technique and skills. This book can be found on both Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
Sacred Christmas Duets By Phillip Keveren
Sacred Christmas Duets By Phillip Keveren is a wonderful collection. Phillip Keveren’s arrangements are always top-notch and this collection is no different. These are really artistic, beautiful arrangements. You can find this collection on Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
The Magic Of Christmas by Dennis Alexander
The Magic of Christmas by Dennis Alexander comes in 3 volumes. I tend to use Books 1 and 2 the most because the arrangements are not too long or complex. I think I’ve played nearly ever song from those 2 books with friends and fellow piano teachers. They’re available on Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
Celebrated Christmas Duets by Robert Vandall
Celebrated Christmas Duets by Robert Vandall are available in 5 volumes. I always find Robert Vandall’s arrangements to be engaging for students because they usually feature some surprise harmonies or unconventional sounds. I really like the arrangement of We Three Kings from Book 4. All volumes can be purchased on both Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
Christmas Side By Side by Eugénie R. Rocherolle
Christmas Side By Side by Eugénie R. Rocherelle has the most delightful arrangements! Most of them are just 2 pages, but have a pretty unique spin on the song. For example, Deck The Halls is played “in the manner of Bach” and Jingle Bells takes you a brief tour of several different styles. You can get this book on Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
Christmas Music Transcribed For Piano – Four Hands by Norman Dello Joio
Christmas Music Transcribed For Piano – Four Hands by Norman Dello Joio is a really unique collection because it’s arranged by a really notable composer. You’ll find a little more depth to these
Christmas Encores For Two, Book 1 by Melody Bober
Christmas Encores For Two, Book 1 by Melody Bober just features a handful of songs, but they’re all winners. They are all beautifully written. Still, Still, Still is one of my favorite Christmas songs and the duet arrangement in this book is perfect. You can find it on Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
December Duets Published By Hal Leonard
December Duets, published by Hal Leonard, is a fun book to have around because it includes a number of secular and popular Christmas songs like The Chipmunk Song, Happy Xmas and Feliz Navidad. The arrangements are pretty accessible for intermediate players. It’s a little older and may be harder to find but it is available on Amazon.
Famous & Fun Christmas Duets by Carol Matz
The Famous & Fun Christmas Duets Series by Carol Matz is great to have around for pianists of all levels. Books 4 and 5 start to intermediate and feature interesting arrangements. One advantage to this series is that both parts are written in treble and bass clef with instructions on playing in different octaves. This makes the pieces much more approachable for pianists who are still mastering their reading skills. The whole series is available on Amazon and Sheet Music Plus.
Leave a Reply